Things I Like

I recently saw a friend post a long list of things he liked. This friend typically complains or is upset in his posts, so it was nice to see something different. But most importantly, I learned more about him in that short list than in the years I had known him.

So, in ode to my friend, here's a list of things I like:

I like warm rains in Chicago. I like the wind. I like long walks in fresh air. I like text messages. I like laughing. I like it when I work really hard at something and am recognized for it. I like sports. I like sitting next to a field and watching random people play a game on a nice afternoon. I like fishing. I like reading. I love Lake Powell. I like water. I like lazy Sunday mornings where you can play oldies on the radio and dance in the kitchen. I like taking risks. I like hiking. I like being alone. I like the feeling when airplanes take off and land, and even when there's turbulence (otherwise flights are boring as hell). I like people-watching on the train. I like to screen calls—it makes me feel important. I like planning, even for things that will never happen. I like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (Pinterest is still growing on me). I like it when my boyfriend says the full "I love you" rather than just "love you."(Speaking of the bf, I just screened his call. Ha!) I like freaking out sometimes because it means that I care. I like my family. I like my friends. I like shopping for workout clothes. I like pedicures. I like cars. I like motorcycles. I like my bicycle. I like the color green. I like my eyes.

I could go on and on, but that's a good list for now. This little exercise has made me smile, and I like smiling to myself.

I also like snowflakes. Tiffany's anyone?

Bicycles... and life

About a month ago I bought a brand-new bicycle. It was pretty and shiny and expensive. 

My new Trek 7.3 FX

Remember when you first learned to ride a bicycle? That sense of freedom it gave? That’s how I felt with my new bicycle. Since I was no longer living downtown, I was restricted to the trains and buses---which were sometimes a huge pain. If I had a late soccer match, I would spend more time on three busses just trying to get home than I did playing the game!

I loved my bike. It was great. And then I locked it up outside my apartment rather than bringing it up two flights of stairs. (Note: want a lesson in physics? Try carrying a bike up flights of a winding stairwell) My bike got stolen. I only had it for three weeks.

Want to know the saddest website in the world? The Chicago Stolen Bike Registry. Some of these people had their bikes for only a few days before they were stolen!
The theft bothered me, but everyone's self blame bothered me the most. I met up with a group trying to track down our stolen bikes and everyone in that group had locked up their bike. But everyone still said, “It’s my fault that the bike was stolen.” We all had excuses: We had either left it in an alley, or left it outside, or it only had one lock on it instead of three…
NO! If you locked up your bike, it’s not your fault! You didn’t steal your own bike. It bothers me how we all instantly blamed ourselves when it’s the crime that’s the problem. There should be a special place in hell reserved for bike thieves. 
The good news is that my friend Sean and I went Craigslist hunting (I HATE Craigslist, but that’s a rant for another day) and I found a new, better bike!


My new bike is a road bike---something I thought I was never “good enough” to be able to ride. Turns out that they’re just like every other bike. You just hop on and enjoy yourself!
Here’s a picture of my new baby:

Women's Cannondale Synapse 7

Maybe the new bike is a blessing in disguise since it works much better for my needs, but I still wish I wasn’t out $800 in the process. Stupid thieves.

Sailing

One of my primary goals when I moved to Chicago was to go sailing on Lake Michigan. I’m very happy to say that I scratched this off my list last Monday!

The experience was... AMAZING. The night couldn’t have been better! It was in the 80s with a breeze from the south. In our captain’s words, it was a “powder day” for sailing.

Our instructor's name was Captain Kirk (insert Star Trek joke here). He has been sailing since he was a boy and currently owns a sailboat with a partner. He spends his summers sailing on Lake Michigan and his winters being a ski bunny in Colorado. Must be nice! In any case, he was wonderful. His love and enthusiasm for being out on the water was contagious. We all got a chance at the helm and practice turns since sailing is really all about geometry.

I grew up with motorboats so the first thing I noticed once we turned off the engine was the silence. It is just you and the boat gracefully cutting through the water. Absolutely beautiful.

We were also blessed with an incredible sunset. One of the best I’ve seen in Chicago! I grabbed a million pictures, but below are just a few.

Sailing is expensive. Very expensive. When I saw the Groupon for sailing lessons over the winter I jumped on it. I’d love, love, love to get out on the water again, but at $250+/lesson I think I’ll be waiting a while. Where’s that money tree? Or money mast, perhaps.

Summer in Chi-town

Chicago's spring has been pretty gross. I swear that we have had a worse spring than winter. After 10 weeks of soccer and running, I've only had to wear sunscreen once---and that was yesterday (my poor, delicate, sun-starved skin still got burned).

But once the sun comes out and buildings warm up, Chicago in the summer just can't be beat.

Here are some of my views from just two days in the sun:

Reading by Lake Michigan on Friday evening

Sunday was one of those days where everything looked gorgeous, even my alien-like apartment building

My apartment may be empty, but it's now great for tanning!

Morning view of Chicago from my office

Chicago

I've announced the news everywhere---at work, to my friends and family, on Facebook, on Twitter, and to my new account on Tumblr.

I just haven't announced it here. Without further ado:

I'm picking up and moving to Chicago. My last day of work is June 24th and I hope to be "shipping out" soon after.

I already have a place lined up that is directly downtown (and cheaper than what I currently pay in Boulder) and two awesome roommates.

Basically, I'm thrilled! I can't wait to go. I want to go now. Right... now.

I'm unsure how much I will continue to post to this blog. Obviously I haven't kept up with it lately as I should. Maybe I'll chronicle my move on here? Or, maybe I'll just keep the excitement to myself. :)

Most of my time lately has been devoted to my Tumblr account: http://clairev04.tumblr.com/

I’ve realized that, for the moment, Tumblr suits me much better. I can quickly and easily post the random pictures, articles, quotes, and videos that make me laugh or think.

Even better, I don’t have to write something interesting and profound with every post (as I feel I have to do here). Sometimes things speak for themselves. Sometimes they need a little help.

No matter what, I’m excited to keep sharing things with you, dear, dear reader. (All 2 1/2 of you.)

Weighing in on Chicago

I'm literally weighing in here. In 5 days I have managed to gain 5 pounds. And my god, it was worth it.

I was lucky enough to travel with my fabulous friend and coworker, Karen, who is a complete foodie. Before we even got there, she had a list of places to visit.

I didn't get pictures of everything with my crappy camera phone, but here are some of the highlights.

Hello, Chicago!

Water. Yacht. Yes, please.

The Bean!

Playing around under the bean.

Navy Pier.

It's playoff time!

Cupcakes! I'm not a huge cupcake fan, but these were that good.

Car bombs for Karen's birthday!

Karen, post-bomb.

Some of the other restaurants and places:

Exchequer

Garrett Popcorn

Trader Joe's (this place needs to come to Colorado. Pretty please?)

Russian Tea Time (instead of tea, we had their standard 3 shots of vodka.)

Cafe Iberico (oh my god, this is the best tapas place in the world.)

Oh, yeah. We also worked. We worked a lot. As in my cheeks are sore from talking and smiling for three days straight and my feet don't want to see my heels again. Ever.

The booth.

A red beacon of light, inviting people to come buy books---and to 

write more books for us to publish.

I loved Chicago. I want to go back. Now.

If only....

I'm going to Chicago

And you're not.

Neener neener neener.

Chicago is one of my favorite cities. If I could move anywhere tomorrow, Chicago would be it. (In the city, not the suburbs).

Too bad I've applied for multiple jobs out there with no luck.

Oh well. Boulder ain't too bad.

Chicago's Palmer House Hilton, looking hawt in business suits, and pizza and beer all on the company dime? Yes, please!

Oh yeah, and I'll work a little bit too.